“La Casa de Papel” is Netflix’s Most-Watched Spanish TV Series
Fans of “La Casa de Papel” dress up as characters at New York Comic Con 2019 (Photo Credit: Mayte Peña)
By Mayte Peña
“It has intrigue, action, love... What else do we need?” said Lehman’s 22-year-old junior psychology major, Jaden Reyes of the Spanish crimedrama “La Casa de Papel” (Money Heist). Reyes hailed it as “one of the best television productions I’ve ever seen.”
Reyes is not alone in her enthusiasm. Two months after its third premiere, it remains one of the most-watched foreign language-streamed Netflix originals; its watch rate of 34,355,956 household account views was reached within just the first week of the season on July 19, 2019.
The series’ third installment also reached non-Spanish speaking countries like France, Italy, Portugal, and even India, according to entertainment news source Variety.
Spanish television producer, writer, series creator, scriptwriter and film director, Alex Pina originally planned to launch the series on Spanish television network Antena 3. Netflix was granted global streaming rights and decided to divide the original 15 episodes into 22 shorter episodes across two seasons, released worldwide on Dec. 20, 2017, and April 6, 2018, respectively.
These seasons introduced the audience to the famous criminals who execute the biggest robbery in the history of Spain. After months of preparation, they steal €2.4 billion and Stam Factory, while wearing red jumpsuits and masks like those of Spanish painter, Salvador Dali, an outf it that becomes a symbol of resistance later in the series.
The iconic criminals protect their identities by using the names of famous cities that they would like to visit, such as Tokyo, Nairobi, Berlin, and Rio. Mastermind, Sergio Marquina (Alvaro Morte), known as El Professor is the only exception in the group.
(Photo curtesy of La Casa of Papel’s Instagram)
“I admire the character of the Professor,” said Reyes. “He is not just the mastermind behind the robbery who’s ensuring nobody sabotages the plan, but he also cares for the band members.” Other Lehman students said that they loved the production’s plot intrigues.
“The show is really great and completely different from anything I have seen on TV,” said 21-year-old senior journalism major, Lili Stevens. “‘Money Heist’ gives a message to society: [it] is important for everyone to stick together, otherwise things may not go as planned.”
This is evident after the first robbery when all the characters’ vacations are interrupted once Rio is captured by police officials. Another organized robbery is held to negotiate 13 Rio’s freedom. The series’ ending could form a bridge to a possible part four, rumored to air at the end of 2019, according to The Digital Weekly.
“The direction, actors and plot are all part of an incredible production that keeps us wanting more with no disappointments. I like Tokyo and Nairobi. Both characters have terrific, compelling and powerful backstories,” said senior journalism major, Paola Pontier, 24. “I believe that the resistance movement serves to encourage people to fight back [against] the system.”
